These 15 Small Dog Breeds are Perfect For Your Apartment Lifestyle

For apartment dwellers, a pet’s size matters, and it matters a lot. Long legs, giant paws, and big muscled bodies don’t always go well when you are living in a relatively small and cramped space. But, if you are a dog lover, you know that life without one could be boring, quiet, without that wiggling butt to greet you every time you get home.

While there may be some limits on your options for pets if you are living in an apartment, may be because only small dog breeds are allowed, there’s no need for you to worry. Here is a short list of the top 15 best dogs for apartment that make excellent pets ideal for the modern day apartment living.

Chihuahua

Topping the list of the best small dog breeds for apartments is none other than the well loved and cute sized Chihuahuas. When you have a tiny and cramped space, you can expect a Chihuahua to be your ultimate ticket to the best of canine nirvana. These pets might be small in size, but they are huge regarding personality.

These little dogs need just short potty breaks as well as quick strolls in the park to stretch out their tiny legs. On top of that, they can get all the exercise they need as they scamper around your limited space. Although Chihuahuas are often cast for being yappy, they are ideal for apartment buildings, especially with proper socialization and regular stimulation with brain games. Before you know it, they will be too tired out that you no longer have to even let them out for the day.

Maltese

If you live in an apartment, and you are planning to add a furry member to your family, you might want to consider getting a Maltese. Maltese are among the best apartment dogs, thanks to their qualities that make them ideal for an apartment life. These miniature dogs are known for their relatively low energy without requiring high levels of exercise.

They can do fine by just roaming around the apartment or with a daily walk at the park. They are also famous for being quite active even indoors and can do fine with some regular indoor play sessions. Maltese is also well known for their ability to get along with other non-canine pets, like cats or ferrets. Typically reaching around 4 to 6 pounds, this breed wouldn’t require too much space at all.

Maltipoo

The Maltipoo is a lovable crossbreed that apartment dwellers love and adore for many reasons. When you open your home and heart to a crossbreed, it is like opening a wonderfully wrapped gift for your birthday because you will never have any idea what you will find inside.

The Maltipoo is typically among the small dog breeds that you can find in many apartments, thanks to their cute size and the ideal combination of the behavior of a Maltese and Poodle. You can expect them to be always on the move, and while they can do pretty well indoors, it wouldn’t hurt if you take them out for some regular walks every now and then. Good natured and friendly, this breed is something that you would love to have around your small space.

Pomeranian

Pomeranians just weigh roughly around 5 pounds, but their personalities are so much bigger. These are curious canines, alert, and with keen interest in just about everything that they see around them. Most of the time, their favorite spot in homes are perched on the windowsill wherein they get the chance of seeing as much action around the neighborhood as they possibly can. They also bark often which will tell you right away that someone has walked by.

Poms love being the center of attention, known for their mischievous behavior just to get their much-craved attention. This breed is ideal for active seniors who can devote all their energy and time for their pet.

Despite having large bundles of fluff that call for more coat maintenance compared to other small dog breeds, Poms make up for all of it with their cheerful and alert dispositions. They have low requirements for exercise, provided that you keep them mentally stimulated while indoors.

Pug

Pugs are famous for their spunky personalities and cute wrinkles on their face. On top of that, they are also real experts when it comes to making friends, particularly with kids, and they feel very comfortable even inside close quarters.

Pugs also happen to have among the most recognizable mugs in the canine world, and many people will surely agree that they are well loved by everyone. From singles to couples, and families, no one can resist the lovable and affectionate temperaments of this breed.

Pugs are also easy going types of canines. They are ideal for both city apartments as well as rural homesteads. Aside from that, they also don’t need too much exercise. They will be in complete doggie heaven as they follow you around your apartment and be contented squirming into your lap.

Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu breed is not usually of high energy, so it is much easier to meet all of their exercise requirements right inside your apartment. Just remember, however, that you need to commit regular grooming, preferably from a professional, to look after their handful of hair. Being a born and bred house pets, Shih Tzus can go well with just a short walk every day or some quality time in the park to do the trick.

After going back home, they will already be happy to cuddle with you on your couch. The Shih Tzu is a bona fide member of Toy Group. It means that they are tiny at around 9 to 16 pounds, making them ideal for small living spaces. However, they have less intensity compared to other miniature dogs are said to have. Therefore, you can be assured that they will be calm, cool, and collected once navigating in the common areas of your rental residence.

Yorkshire Terrier

Whenever somebody mentions a Yorkshire Terrier, you will probably imagine a classic image of a dog with black and tan coat, feisty eyes, miniature size, and red bow on its head. Such small dog breeds are cheerful balls of energy that devote themselves to their owners. Once socialized early and were taken out for a regular walk, they must adapt smoothly to the apartment living. Even if some consider these little dogs prone to barking, they respond well to training.

English Bulldog

Are you a fan of small dogs? This medium-sized canine is a little bigger yet still comfortable living in small spaces. Usually, English Bulldogs are low to medium energy. It only means that they do not mind lounging on the couch after their walk every day, yet you might need to deal with the slobber. This dog does not like to move around always. This is the reason why it’s one of the best dogs for apartment. If this canine could talk, he’d tell you that he would consider hanging on the couch than at a dog park. If you do not like moving much, an English Bulldog is a good choice for you.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

These dogs are some of the happy-go-lucky pets around. Because of their friendly nature, they are almost guaranteed to charm anyone they meet in foyer of your building. There is no doubt that such small spaniels have energy, yet if you like to carve out time for exercise daily and wish a lap dog that will dish out cuddles, you have found it. You will be hard-pressed finding an easy going or friendlier dog than this canine. You will also find that Cavalier King Charles Spaniel make nice with some tenants as well as dogs in your place. Aside from that, weighing about 13-18 pounds, this dog breed will not take up much space. Adaptable and calm, this makes an excellent addition to anyone’s apartment abode.

French Bulldog

Have you ever wondered why some French Bulldogs are considered as the most famous dog breed in numerous cities like New York? The apartment dwellers love these easygoing dogs because of their quiet nature and small size. They are good-natured and curious, yet they do not have lots of exercises. Just never consider leaving your French Bulldog outside your patio or balcony on a hot summer day. Like most dogs with short nose, these small dog breeds must stay in air conditioned unit when it gets hot outside.

Renowned for their amazing personalities and oddly-shaped ears, French Bulldogs enjoy wriggling its way into your apartment. These little dogs do not often bark, which only means that the neighbors will not be complaining about excess noise. They require short walk daily, and they are small. Aside from that, these dogs enjoy cozying up to their human roommates.

Havanese

Searching for an affectionate, happy puppy to keep you company in your place? Well, there is no need to look further as Havanese is one of the small dog breeds that has a good temperament. It is also renowned for being friendly and lovable. This is why it’s a good pet for a busy apartment complex. Havanese also requires regular walks, yet it isn’t something that any active city dweller cannot handle.

Since Havanese stays in about 10-15 lbs, this dog breed meets the size limits of about any pet policy rules of your condo complex or stringent apartment. Nevertheless, in spite the small size of the breed, it is both playful and sturdy enough to get along well with kids. Havanese also gets points for being alert, and even if it has long coat that requires grooming on a regular basis, he does not need lots of exercises.

Dachshund

Dachshunds are one of the best dogs for apartment that are known for their very short legs that enable them to be exercised inside your apartment. They become quite active and like to cuddle when they are playing with you, yet they are quick to calm down when you are all done.

Papillon

The name of this dog breed originated from the French word for butterflies due to their fringed ears that look the same with the wings of a butterfly. They are small and will not take up too much room in any rental unit, yet they have high energy, which requires mental and physical challenges to be balanced.

Bichon Frise

These little cuties are quiet and frequently considered as best apartment dogs, yet there’s one essential caveat you should know. Bichon Frise dogs are high energy, and if you are high energy yourself, taking trips and hikes often to the dog park, you will be a great match. Although these are small dogs, they have a decent amount of energy, which just means apartment-dwelling owners of Bichon will need to commit to strolls around the neighborhood regularly. However, this dog breed adapts well to small areas and will not make much noise, which will keep you in good standing with people living below and above you.

Chinese Crested

These are one of the miniature dogs that tend to win the title of the World’s Ugliest Dog because of their unique and hairless look. Never let that deter you. Usually, these are affectionate with their family members and less certain around some strangers. They also have excellent and soft double coat that requires full brushing each day to get rid of matting. The maintenance of the skin of this dog is almost the same with the human skin. It may be susceptible to dryness, sunburn, and acne.

Chinese Crested dogs have a temperament and personality that’s loyal, friendly, and intelligent. They also make good lap dogs or small family dogs. Such dogs form tight bonds with their owners and some of their family members, making them as one of the best small dog breeds for an apartment.